Short Takes: Future of Cash Edition

Like many people, I’ve been enjoying the good weather as much as possible lately.  As a result, I haven’t done much writing, so I thought I’d reflect on the effect the pandemic has had on the use of cash.

Understandably, people have been nervous about handling cash through the pandemic.  Many people stopped using it, and some retailers refused to take it.  I’m curious about what will happen as we come out of the pandemic.

Will most people who sometimes used cash before the pandemic go back to it?  Will some retailers continue to refuse cash?  Banks would certainly like to see the end of cash so they can be assured of getting their cut of every transaction.  No doubt some retailers like the information they can gather about their customers when they use cards.

I’d like to see cash remain an option wherever I go.  Then those who prefer to use a card can do so, and those who want to use cash can do so.  In some contexts, I like the anonymity of paying cash, and at the end of the month, I prefer not to have a credit card statement riddled with small purchases.

Here are some short takes and some weekend reading:

Tom Bradley at Steadyhand explains why it’s better to focus on total return rather than dividend yield.

The Rational Reminder Podcast brings us a sensible discussion of the decision to rent or buy a home.